La Petite Cheval Farm

10/31/2026

Warlock and Kim. Circa 1997

10/20/2026

Go Sloane! She has started cantering jumps

10/18/2026

Four Gaits of The Horse !!

10/08/2026

Daniel rode well in the PBP equitation class on Arazi

10/08/2026

So proud of Heather. She trotted on her own over a pole and the full arena in the show today! Her confidence in handling a pony at trot has improved so much lately! Look at her go!

10/04/2026

Successful day in big classes with tough competition! Daniel and Arazi were champion in 2'3" equitation. Kate was 3rd,5th on Limerick in canter. Jayden rode Adriel well in individual canter, Maddie won 1st, 3rd,3rd in short stirrup on Comet, Ana won 3rds in walk trot under 10 on Sparky, Heather won 3rd,4th and 5th on Sparky in trot off lead and trotted by herself today. Katherine rode Little Gun in her first show and won 1st, 2nd and 6th on under 10 trot. Proud of these riders who barely got to practice this month due to weather

10/04/2026

Such a great show team cheering on their friends. I am grateful for such wonderful sportsmanship in these girls and thankful for Jen Sippel who keeps the village together!

09/21/2026

True words. Flat work and skill work make a course or pattern easier

Equitation often carries a reputation as a junior rider’s proving ground. But Geoff Teall makes a compelling case that every rider, regardless of age or discipline, can benefit from training like an equitation rider.

“Equitation riders learn more about lengthening and shortening, turning, lightening, and making their horses responsive than most riders in other disciplines,” he writes. Those skills stretch the rider, challenge the horse, and ultimately make both more capable in the long run.

At its core, equitation is about learning how to ride into and out of problems. “Since fine-tuning your equitation skills involves learning how to ride into and out of specific problems, you learn a lot about training,” Teall explains.

Instead of simply drilling a course, equitation work encourages riders to think critically. Each challenge becomes an opportunity to use position, balance, and timing to find the solution. By approaching mistakes as puzzles to solve, riders develop resilience, confidence, and a stronger sense of feel.

Training like an equitation rider means building skills that apply far beyond the medal ring. Teall emphasizes that equitation riders learn to:

- Adjust stride with lengthening and shortening
- Maintain balance through turns
- Ride with lightness and responsiveness
- Develop harmony and efficiency with their horses

These are the basics of good horsemanship. They are equally valuable whether you are riding a green hunter, tackling a jump-off, or enjoying a trail ride.

📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/08/25/why-every-rider-should-train-like-an-equitation-rider/
📸 © Heather N. Photography

09/21/2026

Go Elena! Posting the trot!!!

09/06/2026

Great start to the show season. Daniel on Arazi were champion in 2'3" equitation, Heather was reserve champion in trot off lead on Sparky. Maddie rode Comet to 3 3rds in short stirrup, Jayden rode Adriel in walk trot canter to third and 5th. Kate rode Limerick to 2 3rds and 5th in wtc. Ana rode Sparky to 2 3rds and 5th in under 10 walk trot.